Crapo Can Lead Debate on Deficit Reduction with Committee Assignments

Washington, DC - Because of his move up in seniority among committee members on both of the Senate Budget and Finance Committees, Idaho Senator Mike Crapo is in a key position to shape Congressional debate and action to reduce federal spending and the budget deficit. With committee assignments announced today for the 112th Congress, Crapo becomes the fourth-ranking Republican on the Budget Committee and fifth-ranking Republican on the Finance Committee. The increases are two spots and one spot, respectively.

Both moves follow Crapo's service on the President's Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform. Crapo took on that assignment at the behest of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and this week the Roll Call publication listed Crapo as one of the Senate's leaders to watch, because of his role in the debt reduction and budget deficit debate.

Crapo remains on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, where he rises to second in seniority among Republicans. He will also continue his service on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (fifth in seniority) and Senate Indian Affairs Committee (fifth in seniority).

"With the announcement this week that we are now facing yet another record federal deficit at $1.5 trillion, which is $414 billion higher than the previous estimate, now is the time for action to restrain spending and spur economic growth through reform of the federal bureaucracy and regulations that stifle investment and job creation," Crapo said. "I expect to see a vigorous debate on spending reductions and tax reform during this session of Congress and already many of us have co-sponsored a newly-proposed Constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget."

Subcommittee assignments have not yet been settled for the 112th Congress. Crapo served as Ranking Member on three subcommittees last session. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell appointed Crapo as Chairman of the Committee on Committees, which distributed this session's committee assignments.